Firefighters are battling to contain a large grass fire that erupted in western Sydney on Monday.
The fast-moving blaze began burning just before 1.50pm near Nepean Rugby Park at Hickeys Lane in Penrith, in the city’s west.
Plumes of smoke can be seen billowing into the air as large flames burn through nearby bush.
The fire was creeping towards industrial warehouses nearby as more than 10 fire trucks worked to extinguish the blaze.
Our firefighters and heavy tanker are on scene at Andrews Rd, Penrith and are working with multiple NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews to container running grass. NSW RFS
Waterbombing aircraft are on the way with both the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews trying to keep it contained.
NSWRFS said the fire was at advice level with no threat to homes.
‘Firefighters from FRNSW and RFS are on scene of a fire burning in the vicinity of Hickeys Lane. The fire is burning in a NW direction between Hickeys Ln & Castlereagh Rd,’ the Rural Fire Service said in a tweet.
Our firefighters and heavy tanker are on scene at Andrews Rd, Penrith and are working with multiple NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW crews to container running grass. NSW RFS
“Those in the vicinity should monitor conditions.”
By 2pm, the fire had burned through 24 hectares of bushland, with a moving size around six hectares.
Ash could be seen falling from the sky and landing on nearby homes and businesses.
More to come.